Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-25
A JOLLY CHRISTMAS.
TOMORROW TIE DAY FOR fun ARD
NOISE AND ALL THAT.
The Day We cslsbrate--Anoient and Modsra
observsnces Of the Day In
in Richmond.


"The good old Christmas" is the
Christmas of youth. IL exists rs much
to-day rs il did 80 or 100 or 500 years
ago. But it is plant that fiCurishes
best in a soil of tender years; OF a timc
OF life when hope and fancy run high
when all is new and dazzling and when
the truth OF the nursery story and fairy
tale are barely questioned. II anything,
age has bettered il, for the children Of
the past knew nothing of the delights
that belong TO this juvenile generation.
True, they he'd their joys, bnt great as
they were, they would be voted "slow"
in 1887.
YE oLDEN TINE.
Our fathers and graudfathers were
nearly oil couutry-born, and the pictures
printed Upon their memoriesare OF family
gatherings under old moss-covered roofs,
Of forests sparkling with ice-coats, OF
fields covered with snow and plentiiully
marked with "old-harc tracks, of negro
cabins whence issued tho sound Of merry
song and dance ;of the trimming egg-nog
bowl, and of festivities that lasted long
into the night by big, open fireplaces,
whore the logs cracked and where in the
glowing Goals and curling smoke the
young people read the future.
Santa Claus came around in those days,
as in these, but then his pack was light,
his store was scant. Some candy, q few
popcrackers," a pocket-knife, a book
that was grand ii it had few illustra-
tions in it-these were the articles he
dealt in, and with which he so won our
ancestors hearts that never will they
agree that the Cbristmases OF these times
are 70 be compared with those. For
them they are not
TINES FLIGHT.
But it is the peoplc-not the Christ
masses that have changed. The home
circle may be broken lie is not all that
youth painted disappointments have
come health may be gone, and possibly
the mind dwells with more satisfaction
in the past than in looking to the future.
There is infinite pathos in every old
persons Christmas recOllectiOns, and the
merriest childish prattle will often unseal
a fountain OF tears. But it lisa season when
almost every good resolve can find ready
accomplishment IL your own yonth
was hard and your ChristmRscs cherries,
see TO it that you snatch some ;oriorn
child from like fate. If your own
youth was crowned with a mothers love,
a fathers care and protection, If wealth
abounded at your board, see TO 1t that, in
gratitude for these blessings, You carry
comfort and consolation 10 some poor
home.
There are hundreds Of poor here.
There are white and black that aye IN
sore want, and all who have the heart to
give nav easily fluid worthy ones upon
whom To bestow their bounty.
FUSS.
There is any amount OF discussion OF
the Mayors proclamation giving the
children liberty to "paint the town
red tomorrow.
It would be n dreadful thing if tho
young men yielding TO the temptation
were TO consider themselves entitled
10 riot through the town as they did
some wears ago, when they paraded
Broad street. assaulting negroes, insult
ing women, breaking windows, &c.
The Mayor, OF course. will not permit
this. Richmond's treasury can't stand
il, for suits for damages would flow in in
a great s.rc.m.
The tin lorns are the most senseless
and cruel noise-produciDg instruments
in the world but the communicated
help the sick-wili have to stand them
for one day. As for the firecrackers--
why, Che tiremen must be on the alert.
TUESDAYS "DIsPATCH. "
As 2 general thing business will be
suspended tomorrow, but the DiSpdtch
men in their character Of prompt and
yeracious chroniclers Of current events
will be on duty as usual gathering up
the news-recording the Christmas oc-
currences. With them it is "duty be-
lore pleasure but while they will not
be able to cat with those who eat, and
drink with those who drink. and blow
yith those who blow their horns, they
will be speedily on hand in case OF eN-
plosiUns house burnings, and disturb
ancos Of the peace-all of which, If not
bound to happen, are likely to occur IN
q city OF the population of Richmond.
And the account thereof will be found
in Tuesday morning paper.
LAST NIGHT.
At one time last night there was aGght
fall of snow, but as some RAIN followed
the ground was soon washed almost clear
of its white covering. A genuine snow
and cold weather is I'LL that seems need
ful TO make this Christmas complete IN
all of its appointments.
Last night Broad and Main streets
especially the former-were crowded
with shoppers, and nearly all the stores
were packed with customers. With here
and there an exception, merchants say
they have had iine holiday trade. A
great deal of money has been spent and
many OF the presents were costly
Tic streets were quite noisy with hre-
crackers last night and tin horns were
also heard. There appeared to be about
the average number of horn-blowefs,
while the sounds with which they filed
the air were of al extra hideous hldeous'
ness.
II WAS observable also that there were
auite number of hilarious men on the
streets; but there were no great excuses
10 report.
Asa general thing the children hung
ND their stockings last night, and II wa
rumored that Santa Claus would be II
town about o'clock this morning. If so
and he brings bis usual supply, 1t may
bappen that in time lost looking Owe
Their presents some of the children vii
lie late at Sunday school this morning
Christmas. MS public holiday, is al
iourned from to-day until tomorrow
hut there was no provision in the &C
about Santa CIaus's visit, and II he ial.
10 appear 80, 900 Richmond children W!
wish 10 know the reason why.
From the work on hand at the expires
offices aud at the post-oilice yesterda
and last night it is obvious that the EN-
njoyees of those establishments ere TO
having much fun, unless they get 1t i
the knowledEe that they are carryin
pleasure. O., presents--to the home
81 many other people. The number c
packoRes received here aud sent tror
here have been unprecedented
CHRISTMAS DINNER FOR THE POOR AT OH